SIOUX LOOKOUT, Ont. - The Meno Ya Win Health Centre in Sioux Lookout is now smoke-free after banning all forms of smoking on hospital grounds.
The ban came into effect on Apr. 1, 2017 and includes all forms of smoking, such as cigars, cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, pipes, as well as any processed or unprocessed forms of tobacco that may be inhaled or chewed.
Anyone observed smoking on the health centre property will be asked by staff or security to stop or leave the property, including those smoking in vehicles.
Residents of the long-term care facility, the William ‘Bill’ George Extended Care Facility, are permitted to smoke on the property, while visitors and staff are not.
The ban at the Meno Ya Win Health Centre is getting a head start on a province wide ban on smoking at all hospitals in Ontario that will take effect Jan. 1, 2018, as part of the Smoke-free Ontario Act and the Electronic Cigarettes Act.
Those who fail to comply with the act can be fined up to $1,000 for the first offence, and $5,000 for each subsequent offence.
